King files legislation to require drug testing for those on public aid

AUSTIN — Saying taxpayers should not subsidize drug addictions, state Rep. Ken King has filed a bill that would require drug-testing for most people seeking government assistance benefits.

“I filed this legislation because I think it’s the right thing to do,” King, R-Canadian, said Thursday.

“Although there are certainly legitimate needs for public assistance, it is unfair for Texas taxpayers to subsidize drug addictions,” he said. “This bill will encourage personal accountability and will also help to prevent the personal misuse of tax dollars.”

If his House Bill 1244 becomes law, it would exempt an applicant applying solely on behalf of a child, King said.

The proposed legislation states that if the test results are positive, that applicant is ineligible to receive benefits for a period of six months, King’s office said. However, the person may reapply for financial assistance benefits after three months if he or she provides proof of completion or current enrollment in a substance abuse treatment program.

HB 1244 is the latest among similar measures filed this session.

Although Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, the presiding officer of the Texas Senate, proposed such measures two months before the legislative session began Jan. 8, some Democratic lawmakers and advocates for needy Texans have blasted the proposals.

“This is simply callous and perverse,” Jim Harrington, director of the Texas Civil Rights Project, said when Perry and Dewhurst went public with their recommendation.

The money used on the drug test would be best used if it went to additional needy families, Harrington said.

Other bills filed that would require drug testing for other benefits, including unemployment insurance and welfare, include one by Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, chairwoman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

Nelson’s bill lists 10 co-authors, including Republicans Robert Duncan of Lubbock and Kel Seliger of Amarillo.

Rep. Jodie Laubenberg, R-Parker, has filed a similar bill. GOP Reps. Charles Perry of Lubbock and Drew Springer of Muenster are among four House members listed as co-authors.

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“This is simply callous and perverse,” Jim Harrington, director of the Texas Civil Rights Project, said when Perry and Dewhurst went public with their recommendation.
The money used on the drug test would be best used if it went to additional needy families, Harrington said."
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How in the world can this be perverse?????
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What IS perverse is throwing our hard earned money down a rat hole for drug addicts to continue to stay addicted!
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I guess this Mr. Harrington has friends and family members who are addicts!
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Maybe it will work, maybe it won't. Please try something. We have more druggies than any country in the world. We can't stop the Cartels from shipping to us. I guess our legislators are too busy fighting each other for votes, than to declare an all out war on drugs. We have a little bit of control within. Our addicts are everywhere. They cant all quit on their own. I have no idea what should be done. We should stop squabbling about same sex marriage, abortion, drill for money, global warming and cooling, and red and blue. I wish We the People could get our heads together to win the Drug Cold War. Someone here, within our borders has the answer, but nobody is listening to them

For the most part, I agree with your post. The exception is that I don't think we need to throw anymore money at the "war on drugs" because it has failed so miserably. Rather, I would divert a big chunk of the money already being spent to a "war on addiction." We've had little success in curbing the supply of drugs; it's time we sought to lessen demand. Vince.

The drug testing companies, are making out like bandits. How many positive in a thousand, maybe 1. I agree let stop supporting drug addicts, but look at what it's costing us to stop one.
Educate the public, how much do we spend to stop one druggie? I think the cartels donate to the just say no programs.

Now let me get this straight -
I have to take a drug test to get and keep a job.
But--- you don't want those who take my taxes and live on Welfare to have to take a drug test to get their $.
I work in a low income area and am well aware of drugs being used by unemployed parents of young children.
Get off drugs and get a job.